United Europe

The European Union has 28 member states, 17 of which are on the common currency. Founded through a string of treaties beginning in the 1950s, the EU has developed its own economic, political and legal policies. Taken as a whole, the EU is the world's largest economy.

Despite his anti-austerity rhetoric on the campaign trail and her open support for Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande and Angela Merkel are expected to make compromises during their first meeting on Tuesday. In the euro crisis, the pair has no choice but to get along. By Ralf Neukirch and Mathieu von Rohrmore...

This week's move by Spain to nationalize the country's fourth-largest bank almost overnight is just the latest in a financial sector crisis that has been growing since the Spanish real estate bubble burst. It is likely to increase calls for Madrid to accept financial aid from its European partners. By David Böckingmore...[ Comment ]

After two years of austerity, growth is suddenly back in fashion in Europe, following calls by the incoming French president, François Hollande, for measures to boost the economy. But the EU's planned "growth pact" is likely to be too small to help the crisis-hit countries of southern Europe. By Carsten Volkerymore...[ Comment ]

A newly released survey shows that non-EU immigrants have an easier time finding jobs in Germany than in other European countries. But the results might be a greater reflection of the sluggish job markets across the rest of the Europe than a particular German advantage. By Renuka Rayasammore...

Worlds are colliding as a flood of impoverished Bulgarians and Romanians stream into Germany, overwhelming authorities. But efforts to help integrate the new residents have been sluggish and many of the immigrants find themselves awash in a system they don't understand. By Özlem Gezermore...[ Comment ]

The Greek left-wing politician tasked with forming a new government after the country's parliamentary elections has called the Greek bailout agreement invalid. Several German leaders responded Wednesday by demanding that Greece stick to the negotiated austerity measures if it wants to receive future international financial aid. more...

Newly revealed German government documents reveal that many in Helmut Kohl's Chancellery had deep doubts about a European common currency when it was introduced in 1998. First and foremost, experts pointed to Italy as being the euro's weak link. The early shortcomings have yet to be corrected. By Sven Böll, Christian Reiermann, Michael Sauga and Klaus Wiegrefemore...

There seems to be little chance of Greece's political parties being able to form a viable coalition government after voters punished the two main parties in Sunday's election. It's a worst case scenario for the country's European partners, whose whole approach to fighting the Greek debt crisis is now in question. By Julia Amalia Heyer in Athensmore...[ Comment ]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel can't be pleased about François Hollande's election victory, but it will at least be bearable for her. The newfound self-confidence of her junior coalition partner, the FDP, which scored a surprise success in the state election of Schleswig-Holstein on Sunday, poses a greater threat to the chancellor. A Commentary By Roland Nellesmore...

The European Union recently launched its brand new citizens' initiative program and already there are several groups busily gathering signatures across the Continent. While the move is a bold experiment in direct democracy, many say it is too cumbersome to work. By Caille Millnermore...